Oxidation of alkyl aromatics

ABSTRACT

Process of liquid phase oxidation of the alpha carbon atom of alkylbenzenes by a manganic or cobaltic salt and an acid activator with or without an oxidation-resistant solvent either in an inert atmosphere to produce lower oxidation products of the alpha carbon atom such as alcohols or their esters; or, in the presence of molecular oxygen, to produce higher oxidation products such as aromatic aldehydes, ketones or carboxyl acids.

Unite States Patent [191 de-Radzitzky dOstrowick et al.

[451 *Aug.5, 1975 OXIDATION OF ALKYL AROMATICS [75] Inventors: Pierre M. J. G. de-Radzitzky dOstrowick; Jacques D. V. Hanotier, both of Bruxelles, Belgium [73] Assignee: Labofina, Soc. An., Belgium Notice: The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to May 23, 1989,

has been disclaimed.

[22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 199,721

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 884,336, Dec. 1 l, 1969, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl. 260/592 [51] Int. Cl. C07c 49/76 [58] Field of Search 260/592 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,245,528 6/1941 Loder 260/592 X 3,665,030 5/1972 dOstrowick et al 260/592 X Primary ExaminerBernard Helfin Assistant Exan1iner-James H, Reamer [5 7 ABSTRACT 6 Claims, N0 Drawings OXIDATION OF ALKYL AROMATICS This application is a division of our copending application. Ser. No. 884,336, filed Dec. ll, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,665,030, issued May 23, l972.

The present invention relates to a process for selective oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds using an oxidizing system comprising a higher valent cobalt( III) or manganeseflll) salt of a carboxylic acid and a relatively strong acid.

Oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds into oxygenated products in the liquid phase with molecular oxygen in the presence of a heavy metal catalyst is the best available to the chemical industry at this time. Its application remains restricted as a rule to the production of carboxylic acids. This is principally due to the fact that to reach a sufficient rate of reaction,.stringent conditions such as high temperatures and pressures must be applied so that intermediate oxidation products of the alcohol, aldehyde or ketone type are rapidly converted into acids. During this process, the alkyl groups comprising several atoms of carbon undergo a cleavage of the carbon-carbon bonds except for those joining these to the aromatic nucleus. For this reason, the method is applied principally for oxidation of methylaromatic hydrocarbons like toluene and xylenes. Oxidations performed in the art under milder conditions with various catalysts have been non-selective or inapplicable.

We have now discovered that by employing an oxidizing system comprising the cobalt or manganese salt of a carboxylic acid in higher valent form and a relatively strong acid, the oxidation of the alkylaromatic compounds can be performed at distinctly lower temperatures than those previously required, with a higher rate of reaction and a greatly improved selectivity. We have found, that by appropriate selection of the components of the oxidizing system and of the operating conditions, the oxidation of the alkylaromatic compounds can be controlled to form side chain alcohols, mainly in the form of esters; or to form aromatic ketones or aldehydes, depending on the structure of the alkyl substituent; or to form aromatic carboxylic acids selectively principal products. Analogously, starting with a polyalkylated aromatic compound, the reaction can be limited to selectively oxidize a single alkyl group or carried further to oxidize several alkyl side chains. Finally, the oxidizing system employed has an activity such that the alkylaromatic compounds further substituted by a deactivating group are attacked rapidly. Such deactivating groups are chloro, nitro, carboxyl or other electron-attracting groups.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a process for the oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds, during which one or more alkyl groups thereof are converted quickly in satisfactory yield into oxygenated functions, with a high degree of selectivity and control. It is a further object to provide a process of carrying out such oxidations at low temperatures.

According to the present invention, alkylaromatic compounds having at least one hydrogen atom at the alpha position to the aromatic nucleus are oxidized in the liquid phase at that alpha position at a temperature in the range of 30 C to +l'OO C, with an oxidizing system comprisinglthe higher valent cobalt( III) or higher valent manganeseflll) salt of a carboxylic'acid and a stable acid whose dissociation constant is higher than l() or boron trifluoride, or a mixture thereof.

The alkylaromatic compounds which are oxidized most satisfactorily by the process of the invention are those which comprise at least one alkyl radical having at least one hydrogen atom at the alpha position relative to the aromatic ring. Although higher alkyl radicals can be oxidized such as those having up to about 30 carbon atoms or even higher, the aromatic compounds with l to 6 alkyl radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms are a preferred group of alkylaromatic compounds to be oxidized since they are easily and more economically available. Typical alkylaromatics oxidized herein are the mono-, diand tri-alkylbenzenes, like toluene, ethylbenzene, cumens, 0-, mor pxylenes, o-, mor p-diethylbenzenes and trimethyl benzenes. Polynuclear alkylaromatic compounds such as the mono-, diand trialkyl-naphthalenes, like methyl naphthalenes, ethyl naphthalenes and dimethyl naphthalenes are also easily oxidized. Apart from these purely hydrocarbon compounds, alkylaromatic compounds substituted by other radicals, for example chloro, bromo, iodo, fluoro, nitro or oxygenated radical such as acyl, alkoxy, carboxyl, l-acyloxyalkyl, may also be oxidized. Typical such substituted alkylaromatic compounds are p-chlorotoluene, p-bromoethylbenzene, m-nitrotoluene, o-acetyltoluene, 4-methoxyethylbenzene, p-toluic acid, 4-methyl-l-naphthoic acid, p-methylbenzyl acetate, and the like.

In order that the oxidation of these compounds by the process of the invention may be performed in the liquid phase, it is not essential, but often useful, to employ a solvent. In particular cases, the oxidizing system is soluble in the liquid alkylaromatic compound to be oxidized, and the reaction can occur in the solution thus obtained. Most frequently, however, the reactants are desirably dissolved in a solvent common to both. In general any liquid reasonably inert to oxidation, in which the alkylaromatic compound to be oxidized and the oxidizing system are soluble, may be used. The fatty acids containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and their lower esters, preferably their methyl and t-butyl esters, satisfactorily fulfill the preceding conditions. Acetic acid is a particularly advantageous solvent.

Among the metal compounds capable of oxidizing hydrocarbon or other organic substances, the cobalt- (lll) and manganese(lll) salts of carboxylic acids are preferred. They are powerful oxidizers; they are satisfactorily soluble in such organic solvents; they are easily produced by known methods. From these points of view, the cobalt(lll) and manganeseflll) salts of fatty acids containing from 2 to 10 atoms of carbon, and preferably their acetates, are particularly satisfactory. For example, cobalt(lll) acetate may be produced by cooxidation of cobalt(ll) acetate with acetaldehyde in acetic acid in the presence of oxygen. Manganeseflll) acetate may be produced by oxidation of manganesefll) acetae with potassium permanganate in acetic acid. The cobalt(lll) and manganeseflll) salts of the other fatty acids can be produced in analogous manner or by exchange reaction between these and cobalt(lll) acetate.

A fundamental and important aspect of the present invention is the discovery that the oxidizing power of these cobaltic and manganic salts in respect of alkylaromatic compounds is enhanced considerably by the presence of a relatively strong inorganic or organic acid. The acids which display this activating effect are those whose dissociation constant K is higher than They should be soluble in the reaction medium and should not interfere with the reaction. Suitable acids are sulphuric acid (K, l perchloric acid (K l p-toluenesulphonic acid (K l trifluoroacetic acid (K 6.10), trichloroacetic acid (K 2.10),

dichloroacetic acid (K 3.3 X 10 phosphoric acid (K, 7.5 X 10 and monochloroacetic acid (K 1.4 X 10 Some Lewis acids such as boron trifluoride, also have an activating action. The acids containing chlorine, bromine or iodine in ionic form, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid or aluminium trichloride are unstable in the conditions of the process and should be avoided.

The activating action of the acids defined above is exertedboth on the rate and the progress of the reaction. The effect is the more pronounced the stronger the acid and, up to a definite limit, the higher its concentration. On the other hand, the quantity of acid should be correlated to the quantity of cobaltic or manganic salt employed. For example, if sulphuric acid is employed to activate a cobaltic salt, a molar ratio between acid and salt of approximately 2 is needed to reach maximum activity. With an acid of lesser strength, such as trichloroacetic acid, a ratio from 5 to is preferable. Although the mechanism of the activation has not been clarified yet, the facts which have been set forth lead to the possibility that the cobaltic or manganic salt reacts with the acid to produce a more oxidizing species which is assumed to be principally responsible for the attack of the substrate. The following scheme can be envisaged accordingly, where the acid, the metal salt and the reactive species are represented respectively by AH, M and M(III) It must be added, moreover, that the activating effect of a given acid can vary with temperature, the nature of the metal salt and the reactivity of the substrate. For example, the activating action of weaker acids such as trichloroacetic acid on manganic acetate is less effective, under identical conditions, than on cobaltic acetate; but, at increased temperature, it is improved the more effectively with the more reactive substrate. These different factors should be taken into account in selecting the oxidizing system and the conditions to apply to oxidize a particular substrate.

The activator allows the oxidation of alkylaromatics to be performed at low temperature, more specifically within a temperature range of to 100 C. In order that the reaction may be rapid as well as selective, it is preferable to operate at temperatures between 0 and 60 C. The reaction will frequently be too slow below 0 C, and the selectivity inadequate above 60 C.

The nature of the oxidation products obtained by the present process is determined by the structure of the alkyl substituent, the composition of the oxidizing system, and the operating conditions. To produce alcohols in the form of esters, the reaction will be carried out in a carboxylic solvent such as acetic acid and in the absence of oxygen. For example, in these conditions, ethylbenzene can be converted almost quantitatively into the acetate of alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol by use of an oxidizing system comprising a manganic or a cobaltic salt. The ester obtained may then be hydrolyzed to produce the corresponding alcohol, or pyrolyzed to produce styrene. Toluene is converted into benzyl acetate using the same conditions. By contrast, if it is preferred to obtain products containing a carbonyl function, it is advisable to operate in the presence of oxygen and to make provision for vigorous stirring of the reaction mixture. In these conditions, ethylbenzene can be converted into acetophenone by preferential use of an oxidizing system comprising a cobaltic salt. Analogously, in the presence of oxygen, toluene can be oxidized into benzaldehyde or benzoic acid, depending on whether a manganic or cobaltic salt is employed. These particular examples clearly demonstrate the extraordinary selectivity of the process of the invention and the high degree of control it provides by simple selection of the oxidizing system and of the operating conditions.

The effect of oxygen exemplified by the above instances is another important aspect of the present invention. The manner in which oxygen operates in the reaction is not known with certainty. In the prior processes in which a compound of a metal of high valency is employed as an oxidant, oxygen does not as a rule have an appreciable effect on the reaction. In the present case, it seems that the primary attack of the alkylaromatic compound leads to the formation of a free radical (reaction 3) which would then react with oxygen (reaction 4) to produce a peroxy radial which is subsequently convertible to produce a ketone, an aldehyde or even an acid, as the case may be. In the absence of oxygen, the radical would be oxidized in its turn, probably while producing a carbonium salt (reaction 5) which, in the presence of a carboxylic acid, would result in an ester (reaction 6) R 0 ROO ketone, aldehyde or acid Corresponding to this pattern, the proportion of ester functions and of carbonyl functions in the reaction products is the result of competition between reactions (4) and (5). It will then be grasped that to promote the production of compounds having a carbonyl function,

it is necessary to choose conditions allowing the reaction (4) to predominate, that is to say to operate in the presence of a gaseous phase containing oxygen and to make provision for vigorous stirring for rapid diffusion of the same into the liquid phase. This gaseous phase may consist of pure oxygen or of a mixture of oxygen with other gases which are inert in the conditions of the reaction, for example air. The partial oxygen pressure may be between 0.1 and 50 atmospheres. In particular cases, it is possible to apply pressures lying outside this range. For example, a lower pr ess ure than 0.l atmosphere can be sufficient occasionallw. subject to thecondition of providing particularly effective stirring. On the other hand, higher pressures than 50 atmospheres may be applied, but these do not lead to an improvement in the results justifying additional plant investment costs. In the greater number of cases, an oxygen pressure of the order of 0.2 to atmospheres will suffice to secure a high degree of conversion into products having a carbonyl function.

The quantity of oxydant to be employed depends on the degree of conversion required and on the nature of the products it is desired to obtain. The preceding pattern shows that at least two molar equivalents of higher valent metal salts are needed to produce an ester in a high yield from a monoalkylbenzene. It might have been expected that a greater quantity of oxydant would be consumed to produce a ketone, an aldehyde or an acid. In reality, the production of these compounds by the process of the invention requires no more than a small quantity of oxidant. For example, the production of acetophenone by oxidation of ethylbenzene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid in the presence of oxygen requires no more than 1.5 to 2.2 atoms of cobalt( Ill) per molecule of hydrocarbon. In the same conditions, 0.3 to 0.5 atom of cobalt(lll) suffices to convert one molecule of toluene into benzoic acid. These small values demonstrate that a definite degree of regeneration of the oxidizing system occurs in the presence of oxygen, so that the quantity of oxidant consumed may in particular cases be smaller than the quantity of product formed.

In the ease of polyalkyl aromatic compounds, the oxidation may be limited to a single alkyl group, or extended to several. It is plain to one versed in the art that, to limit the oxidation, it is appropriate to shorten the period of reaction and to employ an excess of polyalkyl benzene in comparison with the oxidizing system, whereas the inverse of these conditions will be preferable if it is desired to oxidize several alkyl groups within one and the same molecule.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the following examples EXAMPLE 1 This example illustrates the effect of sulphuric acid on the oxidizing power of manganic acetate with respect to alkylaromatic compounds.

A solution containing 0.20 mol/liter of mdiethylbenzene and 0.04 mol/liter of manganic acetate in acetic acid was heated to 70 C for 30 minutes. In a second assay, sulphuric acid was added to the solution at the concentration of 0.5 mol/liter, after which this solution was kept at 25 C for ten minutes. A third assay was also carried out in the presence of sulphuric acid but in the absence of substrate. At the end of the three assays, the manganic ions present in the solution were determined by cerimetry. The results obtained are given in the following table.

. lt IS apparent that, in the presence of sulphuric acid, the

oxidation of m-diethylbenzene by manganic acetate results in the almost complete reduction of the same in ten minutes at 25 C, whereas in the absence of sulphuric acid, no appreciable reaction occurs in distinctly more severe conditions. The third assay adequately demonstrates that the effect of the activator is linked with the presence of m-diethylbenzene.

EXAMPLE I] This example illustrates the effect of trichloroacetic acid on the oxidizing power of cobaltic acetate in respect of alkylaromatic compounds. A solution containing 0.20 mol/liter of Z-ethylnaphthalene and 0.05 mol/- liter of cobaltic acetate in acetic acid was kept at 25 C under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure for 15 minutes. The same assay was repeated after addition of trichloroacetic acid to the solution, in the proportion of 1.5 mol/liter. A third assay was also carried out in the presence of trichloroacetic acid, but in the absence of substrate. At the end of the three assays the cobaltic ions present in the solution were determined by cerimetry. The results obtained are given in the following table substrate trichloroacetic acid reduced C o( Ill) (0.2M) (1.5M) ("/r) EXAMPLE III This example illustrates the oxidation of toluene by means of the system consisting of manganic acetate and sulphuric acid.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of toluene, 0.21 mol/liter of manganic acetate and 1.0 mol/liter of sulphuric acid in acetic acid, was kept at 25 C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 78 per cent of the manganic ions had been reduced after one hour. An aliquot part of the reaction mixture was diluted with ether and then treated at 0 C with anhydrous sodium carbonate until the acidity was neutralized. The ether solution was analyzed by vapour phase chromatography to establish the composition of the neutral oxidation products. The acid products were identified by analysis of another aliquot part of the reaction mixture. The combined results of both analyses show that 54 per cent of the toluene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages bunzyl alcohol mainly in the form of its acetate 4 ester) benzaldehyde 25 "/1 benzoic acid I "/1 EXAMPLE IV benzaldehyde 71 7: bcnzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate 24 7c ester) benzoic acid 7:

Comparing the results of this example to those of Example lll, it is plain that in the presence of oxygen, toluene is converted preferentially into benzaldehyde rather than into benzyl alcohol.

EXAMPLE V This example illustrates the oxidation of toluene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid, in the presence of oxygen.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of toluene, 0.20 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid in acetic acid was stirred at 25 C in the presence of pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure. 16 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 4 hours. The reaction mixture was then treated and analyzed as in Example Ill. It was found that 81 of the toluene employed had been converted into pure benzoic acid.

In another experiment performed in identical manner but while extending the reaction period to 24 hours, the conversion of toluene into benzoic acid rose to 92 From this data it is calculated that the formation of a molecule of benzoic acid required the reduction of no more than 0.3 atom of cobalt, which demonstrates that a substantial proportion of the oxidant is regenerated in situ during the reaction.

EXAMPLE VI This example illustrates the use of propionic acid as a solvent.

The experiment of the preceding example was repeated, while replacing acetic acid with propionic acid. Analysis of the reaction mixture after 24 hours showed that 55 of the toluene employed had been converted mainly to yield benzoic acid (98 and small quantities of benzaldehyde (2 ldentical results were obtained by replacing cobaltic acetate with cobaltic propionate.

EXAMPLE Vll This example illustrates the oxidation of ethylbenzene by means of the system consisting of manganic acetate and sulphuric acid.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of ethylbenzene, 0.19 mol/liter of manganic acetate and 1.0 mol/liter of sulphuric acid in acetic acid was kept at 25 C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 67 of the manganic ions had been reduced after one hour. The reaction mixture was then treated and analyzed as in Example 111. It was thus established that 56 of the ethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages.

alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its EXAMPLE VIII This example illustrates the oxidation of ethylbenzene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trifluoroacetic acid.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of ethylbenzene, 0.20 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.4 moi/liter of trifluoroacetic acid in acetic acid was kept at 25C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 77 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then treated and analyzed as in Example lll. It was thus established that 56 of the ethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages.

alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate esters) 86 7e acetophenone 9 7r benzoic acid 5 71 By operating in identical manner but omitting the addition of trifluoroacetic acid to the system, only 9 of the ethylbenzene was converted to yield the following products alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol acetophenone 6 benzoic acid 3 It is plain that in the absence of the acid activator, the reaction is not only slowed down considerably, but its selectivity is completely changed.

EXAMPLE lX alphwmethylbenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 87 acetophenone 5 benzoic acid 8 see By operating in identical manner, but without adding boron triluoride to the system, only 5 of the hydrocarbon had been converted to yield the following products alpha-mcthylbenzyl alcohol 7: acetophenone 60 7! benzoic acid 40 '71 The action of the activator set forth in the preceding example is confirmed in every respect by these results.

EXAMPLE X alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetateester) 75 "/1 acetophenone l5 7: benzoic acid It) '7! EXAMPLE XI This example illustrates the oxidation of ethylbenzene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid.

The experiment of Example VIII was repeated but trifluoroacetic acid was replaced with trichloroacetic acid at the same concentration. of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after minutes. and analysis showed that 17 of the ethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 88 71 acetophenone 9 7: benzoic acid 3 7r EXAMPLE XII The experiment of Example XI was repeated, but operating at 60 C instead of 25 C. 66 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 30 minutes, and analysis showed that of the ethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages alphu-mcthylbenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 86 acetophenone 7 benzoic acid 7 Compared to those of Example Xl, these results show that an increase in the temperature can speed up the reaction without appreciably changing its selectivity.

EXAMPLE XIII This example illustrates the effect of oxygen on the oxidation of ethylbenzene by means of the oxidizing system employed in Examples XI and XII.

A solution containing 0. l O mol/liter of ethylbenzene, 0.20 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid in acetic acid was stirred at 25 C in the presence of pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure. 62 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after four hours. The reaction mixture was then treated and analyzed as in Example III. It was thus established that 67 of the ethylbenzene had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages acetophenone 79 71 alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol( partially in the form of its acetate ester) l5 benzoic acid 6 7:

By comparing these results to those of Examples XI and XII, it is plain that in the presence of oxygen, ethylbenzene is converted mainly into ketone rather than into alcohol.

EXAMPLE XIV The experiment of Example XIII was repeated, but on this occasion operating under an oxygen pressure of 10 kg/cm2. Analysis of the reaction mixture after 4 hours showed that 48 of the ethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages acetophenone 84 72 alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol (partially in the form of its acetate ester) 16 "/1 benzoic acid undetectable By comparing these results to those of Example XIII, it is apparent that the proportion of acetophenone has been increased slightly by operating under a higher oxygen pressure. No additional increase is observed, however, if the test is performed under an oxygen pressure of 30 kg/cm2.

EXAMPLE XV This example illustrates the use of methyl acetate as a solvent.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of ethylbenzene, 0.21 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid in methyl acetate was kept at 25 C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 44 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after five hours. The reaction mixture was then treated and analyzed as in Example III. It was thus established that 14 of the ethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages alpha-mcthylbcnzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its 7 acetate ester) I 73 7: acetophenone 22 "/1 benzoic acid 5 '7( EXAMPLE XVI This example illustrates the use of t-butyl acetate as a solvent.

The experiment of Example XV was repeated while replacing methyl acetate with t-butyl acetate. 45 of thecobaltic ions had been reduced after three hours, and analysis showed that l l of the ethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) aceto henone EXAMPLE XVll This example illustrates the use of pelargonic acid as a solvent.

A solution containing 0.51 mol/liter of ethylbenzene, 0.17 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of triehloroacetic acid in pelargonic acid was kept at 25 C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 78 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then neutralized by means of alcoholic potash and subjected to saponification for four hours in such manner as to hydrolyze the pelargonic esters formed during the reaction, to facilitate the identification of the oxidation products of ethylbenzene. After filtering the insoluble salts, the alcoholic solution thus obtained was analyzed directly by vapor phase chromatography. The analysis enabled to identify the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages alpha-methylhenzyl alcohol aeetophenone EXAMPLE XVlll This example illustrates the possibility of not employing any solvent.

A solution containing 0.2 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid in ethylbenzene was kept at 25 C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 59 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after thirty minutes. Analysis of the reaction mixture by a method analogous to that described in Example lll enabled to identify the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages acetophcnone 67 7: alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol 3l "/1 alpha-methylbenzyl acetate 2 71 benzoic acid 7:

This example also shows that, in the absence of a carboxylic solvent, the formation of ester is negligible, as in the presence of oxygen.

EXAMPLE XlX This example illustrates the oxidation of cumene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid in the presence of oxygen.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of cumene, 0.20

- mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and L mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid in acetic acid, was stirred at 25 C in the presence of pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure. 54 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then treated and analyzed as in Example Hi. It was thus established that 21 of the cumene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages acetophenone 7: alpha, alpha-dimethylbenzyl alcohol l0 7: benzoic acid 15 "/1 EXAMPLE XX This example illustrates the oxidation of 2- ethylnaphthalene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of 2- ethylnaphthalene, 0.19 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid in acetic acid was kept at 25 C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 71 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 30 minutes. The analysis of the ether extract obtained as described in Example 11] showed that 57 of the 2-ethylnaphthalene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages 2( l-hydroxyethyl)naphthalenc (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 9 Z-acctylnaphthalene EXAMPLE XXl The experiment of the preceding example was repeated at 0 C instead of at 25 C, while employing propionic acid instead of acetic acid as a solvent, 43 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after five hours, and analysis showed that 21 of the 2-ethylnaphthalene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages 2 2-( l-hydroxyethyl)naphthalcne (mainly in the form of its propionate ester) 2-acetylnaphthalene EXAMPLE XXII This example illustrates the possibility of operating at lower temperatures than 0C.

A solution containing 0.51 moi/liter of 2- ethylnaphthalene, 0.18 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid in propionic acid was kept at 2() C, without stirring, under an atmosphere of nitrogen at atmospheric pressure. 47 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after five hours, and analysis showed that 5 of the 2-ethylnaphthalene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages 2-( l-hydroxyethyl)naphthalene (mainly in the form of its propionic ester) 94 Z-acetylnaphthalene 6 "/1 EXAMPLE XXIII This example illustrates the oxidation of pchlorotoluene by means of the system consisting of manganic acetate and sulphuric acid.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of pchlorotoluene, 0.21 mol/liter of manganic acetate and 1.0 mol/liter of sulphuric acid in acetic acid was kept at 25 C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 87 of the manganic ions had been reduced after two hours. The analysis of the ether extract obtained as described in Example 111 showed that 62 of the p-chlorotoluene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages p-chlorobcnzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) p-chlorohenzaldehyde EXAMPLE XXIV This example illustrates the oxidation of pmethoxytoluene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid.

A solution containing 0.10 mol/liter of pmethoxytoluene. 0.21 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid was kept at 25 C, without stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 88 7c of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after minutes. The analysis of the ether extract obtained as described in Example 111 showed that 56 of the p-methoxytoluene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

p-methoxyhenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) p-methoxyhenzaldehyde EXAMPLE XXV m-nitrohenzyl alcohol (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) n-nitrobenzaldehyde EXAMPLE XXV] This example illustrates the oxidation of p-xylene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid, in the presence of oxygen.

A solution containing 0.05 mol/liter of p-xylene, 0.20 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate amounted 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid was stirred at 25 C in the presence of pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure. 19 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then diluted with an equal volume of ether. An insoluble residue was filtered, washed for a first time with a mixture of acetic acid and ether 1/1), a second time with water, then dried. The infrared spectrum of the product thus isolated was identical to that of pure terephtalie acid and its acidity amounts to 11.98 meq./g (theoretical value:12.04). On the other hand, the ether filtrates were collected before being treated and analyzed as described in Example III. It was thus established that 59 of the p-xylene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

terephtalic acid p-toluic acid EXAMPLE XXVII This example illustrates the oxidation of mdiethylbenzene by means of the system consisting of manganic acetate and sulphuric acid.

A solution containing 0.05 mol/liter of mdiethylbenzene, 0.22 mol/liter of manganic acetate and 1.0 mol/liter of sulphuric acid in acetic acid was kept at 25 C under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 63 of the manganic ions had been reduced after thirty minutes. The reaction mixture was then diluted with a saturated solution of sodium chloride in water, then subjected to repeated extractions with ether. The ether extract was neutralized by an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate and dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate before being analyzed by vapor phase chromatography. Analysis showed that the total quantity of the m-diethylbenzene employed had been converted, yielding the following oxidation products the relative proportions of which are expressed as molar percentages:

m-( l-hydroxyethyl)ethylbenzene (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 78 71 m-bis( l-hydroxyethyl)henzene (in the form of its diacetate ester) 18 7t m-ethylacetophenone 4 '7:

By operating under the same conditions but omitting sulphuric acid, only 0.2 of the manganic ions were reduced after one hour (that being twice the time necessary hereinabove) and no oxidation products were detectable by analysis.

EXAMPLE XXVlll products were shown to be distributed, in mols, in the following manner:

m-bis( l-hydroxyethyl)benzene (in the form of its diacetate ester) 61 7:

m-( l-hydroxyethyl)ethylbenzene (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) l6 l1 m-ethylacetophenone 21 2 7r m-diacetylbenzene Compared to those of Example XXVI], these results show that, by increasing the quantity of oxidant in comparison to the substrate and by extending the reaction time, it is possible to oxidize the two alkyl substituents of a dialkylaromatic compound EXAMPLE XXIX The experiment of Example XXVII was repeated except that the concentration of m-diethylbenzene was doubled (0.10 mol/liter instead of 0.05). The reaction was extremely fast, since 77 of the manganic ions were reduced within three minutes.

The reaction mixture was then treated by an extraction method analogous to that applied in Example XXVll, and also analyzed by vapor phase chromatography. Analysis showed that 85 of the mdiethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

m-( l-hydroxyethyl)ethylbenzene (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 96 m-his( l-hydroxyethyDbenzcne (mainly in the form of its diacetate ester) 3 m-ethylacetophenone Compared to those of Example XXVlI, these results show the gain in reaction rate and in selectivity achieved when increasing the amount of substrate compared to the oxidant.

EXAMPLE XXX m-( l-hydroxycthyl)ethylbenzenc (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 97 '71 m-bis( l-hydroxyethyl)benzene (in the form of its diacetate ester) traces m-ethylacetophenone EXAMPLE XXXl This example illustrates the oxidation of mdiethylbenzene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and sulphuric acid.

A solution containing 0.05 mol/liter of mdiethylbcnzene, 0.20 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 0.5 mol/liter of sulphuric acid in acetic acid was kept at 25 C under a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. 44 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 20 minutes. The reaction mixture was then treated and analyzed as in Example XXVlI. It was thus established that 55 of the m-diethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

m-( l-hydroxyethyl)ethylbenzene (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 7;

mbis( l-hydroxyethyl)benzene (in the form of its diacetate ester) 4 methylacetophenone 24 7:- 2 7o m-( l-hydroxyethyl )acetophenone EXAMPLE XXXll This example illustrates the oxidation of mdiethylbenzene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and phosphoric acid.

The experiment of Example XXXI was repeated while substituting phosphoric acid for sulphuric acid in the same concentration. 30 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after ten minutes, and analysis showed that 39 of the m-diethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

m-( l-hydroxyethyl)ethylbenzene (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 79% m-bis( l-hydroxyethyl)benzene (in the form of its diacctate ester) 6 7: l5 7:

m-ethylacetophenone EXAMPLE XXXlll This example illustrates the oxidation of mdiethylbenzene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and perchloric acid.

The experiment of Example XXXl was repeated while substituting perchloric acid at the concentration of 1.0 mol/liter for sulphuric acid. 47 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after ten minutes, and analysis showed that 79 of the m-diethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

m-( l-hydroxyethyl)cthylbenzene (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) 86 7o m-bis( l-hydroxyethyl)benzene (in the form of its diaeetate ester) 4 7: l0

m-ethylacetophenone .EXAMPLEE XXXIV This example illustrates the oxidation of mdiethylbenzene by the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid.

The experiment of Example XXXl was repeated while substituting trichloroacetic acid at the concentration of 1.5 mol/liter for sulphuric acid. 23 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 30 minutes, and analysis showed that 42 70 of the m-diethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

m( 1-hydroxyethy1)ethylbenzenc (mainly in the form of its acetate ester) m-bis( lhydroxyethyl)benzene (in the form of its diacetate ester) m-cthylacetophenone By operating in the same conditions but in the absence of trichloroacetic acid, only of the cobaltic ions were reduced after two hours (this being a period which is four times as long as in the experiment hereinabove) and only 9 of the m-diethylbenzene was converted to yield the following products:

m( 1-hydroxyethyl)ethylbenzene (in the form of its acetate ester) m-ethylacetophenone Hereagain, it is apparent that in the absence of the acid activator, the reaction is not only slowed down considerably, but its selectivlity is changed completely.

EXAMPLE XXXV This example illustrates the influence of oxygen on the oxidation of m-diethylbenzene by means of the oxidizing system used in the preceding example.

The experiment of Example XXXIV was repeated, but this time while stirring the reaction mixture in the presence of pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure. 17 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 30 minutes, and analysis showed that 44 of the m-diethylbenzene employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

m-ethylacetophenonc m( l-hydroxycthyl )ethylbenzene acetate ester of m( l-hydroxyethyl)ethylbenzene m-bis( l-hydroxyethyl )henzene By continuing the same experiment up to 24 hours, 57 of the cobaltic ions were reduced and 89 of the m-diethylbenzcne employed was converted to yield the following products:

m-ethylacetophenone m( l-hydroxycthyl )ethylbenzene acetate ester of m( l-hydroxyethyl)ethylbenzene m-bis( l-hydroxyethyl )benzene m( 1 -hydroxyethyl )acetophenone m-diacetylbenzene By comparing these results to those of Example XXXlV, it is apparent that in the presence of oxygen the hydrocarbon is oxidized preferentially into ketone rather than into alcohol.

EXAMPLE XXXVI ployed in Example XXVlI and the extract was also analyzed by vapor phase chromatography. It was thus established that 25 of the ester employed had been converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

m-bis( l-hydroxyethyl)benzene (mainly in the fonn of its diacetate ester) 9 m-ethylacetophenone m( l-hydroxyethyl )acetophenone rowan EXAMPLE XXXVIl This example illustrates the oxidation of durene by means of the system consisting of cobaltic acetate and trichloroacetic acid.

A solution containing 0.05 mol/liter of durene, 0.30 mol/liter of cobaltic acetate and 1.5 mol/liter of trichloroacetic acid in acetic acid was stirred at 60 C in the presence of pure oxygen under a pressure of 10 kg/cm2. 78 of the cobaltic ions had been reduced after 24 hours. After evaporation of the solvent, the acidic products were separated by extraction with aqueous potash followed by acidification with hydrogen chloride; they were then analyzed by paper chromatography. It was thus established that durene had been quantitatively converted to yield the following oxidation products whose relative proportions are expressed as molar percentages:

durylic acid 4 '71 dirnethylphthalic acids 68 7t methyltrimellitic acid 23 A pyromellitic acid 5 7:

What is claimed is:

l. The process of oxidizing an alkylaromatic hydrocarbon compound having at least one alkyl radical with at least two carbon atoms and at least one hydrogen atom in the alpha position relative to the aromatic nucleus, to selectively product a ketone, comprising reacting said alkylaromatic compound in the liquid phase with a cobaltic salt of a fatty acid having from 2-10 carbon atoms in the presence of an activator selected from the group consisting of acids having a dissociation constant higher than 10 selected from the group consisting of sulfuric, perchloric, p-toluenesulphonic, trifluoroacetic, trichloroacetic, tribromoacetie. dichloracetic, phosphoric and monochloroacetic acids, boron trifluoride, and mixtures thereof, at a temperature between 30C and C and under a partial pressure of oxygen between 0.1 and 50 atmospheres.

2. The process as defined in claim 1 wherein the aromatic nucleus of said alkylaromatic compound is selected from the group consisting of benzene and naphthalene.

3. The process as defined in claim 2 wherein said aromatic nucleus has from 1 to 6 alkyl substituents each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

4. The process as defined in claim 3 wherein the cobaltic salt is cobaltic acetate.

19 5. The process as defined in claim I wherein the reacof said fatty acids. tion is effected in the presence of a solvent selected 6. The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said so]- from the group consisting of the fatty acids having from vent is acetic acid.

2 to 10 carbon atoms, and the methyl and t-butyl esters 

1. THE PROCESS OF OXIDIZING AN ALKYLAROMATIC HYDROCARBON COMPOUND HAVING AT LEAST ONE ALKYL RADICAL WITH AT LEAST TWO CARBON ATOMS AND AT LEAST ONE HYDROGEN ATOM IN THE ALPHA POSITION RELATIVE TO THE AROMATIC NUCLEUS, TO SELECTIVELY PRODUCT A KETONE, COMPRISING REACTING SAID ALKYLAROMATIC COMPOUND IN THE LIQUID PHASE WITH A COBALTIC SALT OF A FATTY ACID HAVING FROM 2-10 CARBON ATOMS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ACTIVATON SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ACIDS HAVING A DISSOCIATION CONSTANT HIGHER THAN 10+3 SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SULFURIC, PERCHLORIC, P-TOLUENESULPHONIC, TRIFLUOROACETIC, TRICHLOROACETIC, TRIBROMOACETIC, DICHLORACETIC, PHOSPHORIC AND MONOCHLOROACETIC ACIDS, BORON TRIFLUORIDE, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, AT A TEMPERATURE BETWEEN -30*C AND 100*C AND UNDER A PARTIAL PRESSURE OF OXYGEN BETWEEN 0.1 AND 50 ATMOSPHERES.
 2. The process as defined in claim 1 wherein the aromatic nucleus of said alkylaromatic compound is selected from the group consisting of benzene and naphthalene.
 3. The process as defined in claim 2 wherein said aromatic nucleus has from 1 to 6 alkyl substituents each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 4. The process as defined in claim 3 wherein the cobaltic salt is cobaltic acetate.
 5. The process as defined in claim 1 wherein the reaction is effected in the presence of a solvent selected from the group consisting of the fatty acids having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and the methyl and t-butyl esters of said fatty acids.
 6. The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said solvent is acetic acid. 